Distractions

Luke 10: 38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he (Jesus) entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered (distracted with care) about much serving, and came to him, and said, ‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Martha hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’

In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that cares and riches and pleasures of life can choke the Word to the point it becomes unfruitful. It is easy to identify many of the cares Jesus was talking about, but in the case of Martha above, the seemingly good Christian virtue of ‘serving’ had grown to become a care – taking her away from the one thing needful … to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear his Word.

Jesus told the disciples to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. The same holds true today – on every front.